Welcome to the one hundredth edition of the current series of "Updates." The very first "Update" appeared in February 1982 following the publication of the then new all-London Real Beer in London. The first series ran to 12 editions before being absorbed into a "Supplement" booklet in May 1983. The current series resumed in September 1983, initially cross referencing to the all-London guide, and then later to each of the replacement "sector" guides as they were published in turn during the '80s.

The disposal of pubs by the major brewers and the growth of pub groups during the '90s has resulted in a major shake-up of the London pub and beer scene. The enormous effort required to research and produce the comprehensive sector guides has meant that they have been published relatively infrequently in recent years. The Update column aims to help fill the void and keep track of what brewers and pub operators are up to in Greater london's 5,500 pubs, recorded on a monthly basis.

Replacement guides covering the west, north/north west and south west sectors of Greater London are under preparation, and a new guide covering the SE postal districts only has just been published.

The hundredth edition provides an opportune time publicly to thank all those many individual and corporate contributors, both within the CAMRA branch structure and outside it, who over the years have provided information to this column. Every contribution, however small, has helped to build up a picture of the changing pub and real scene London-wide. Keep the news flooding in and we shall do our best to keep London Drinker readers up to date with events as they happen.

This month has seen a relatively quiet period following the pre-Christmas rush of new pub openings reported last month. More acquisitions by pubs groups have come to light. Next month we shall begin cross referencing to the new South East London guide.

The numbers in brackets after each entry refer to the page number in the following guides: E — East London & City Beer Guide, 3rd edition; K — 'Real Ale Drinkers Guide to Kent Pubs', 8th edition; N — North London Beer Guide, 2nd edition; SE — South East London Pub Guide, 3rd edition; SW — Real Beer in South West London; W — Real Beer in West London; X — Essex Beer Guide, 8th edition. U refers to earlier updates. # indicates a guest beer.

PUBS CLOSED OR CEASED SELLING REAL ALE

WEST

HAMPTON, RAILWAY.Now a Free House, ex Grand Met (Watney). H unused. Formerly RAILWAY INN. (W103, U60)

OTHER CHANGES TO PUBS & BEER RANGES

CENTRAL

W1(Mar), PONTEFRACT CASTLE. -Charrington: IPA. -Wadworth: 6X. -Guest beer. +Hancock: HB. (W35, U89)

W1(Mar), PRINCE ALFRED. -Wadworth: 6X. +Ind Coope: Burton Ale. Now regular Taylor Walker, ex Nicholson.(W36, U89)

W1(May), BRUTONS. Now a Wessex Taverns Free House, ex Grand Met (Truman). (W38, U92)

W1(May), SPREAD EAGLE. Now SPREADEAGLE (one word) following extensive refurbishment. (W40, U90, U98)

EAST

E1, KINGS HEAD. Now a Labatts Free House, ex Charrington. (E68, U73)

E9, KENTON ARMS. Now a Labatts Free House, ex Charrington. (E121)

E10, LION & KEY. -Charrington: IPA. Now Labatts Free House, ex Charrington. (E125)

E11, LORD ROCKWOOD. Now a Labatts Free House, ex Charrington. Still fizz. (E129)

E11, WOODHOUSE TAVERN. -Charrington: IPA. +Courage: Best Bitter. Now a Free House, ex Charrington. (E130)

E12, THREE RABBITS. Now a Labatts Free House, ex Charrington. Still fizz. (E133)

E17, VILLAGE (AT WALTHAMSTOW). Is a Wessex Taverns Free House. Note full title. (E169, U67)

RAINHAM, ANGEL INN. Is a Wessex Taverns Free House. (X84, U84)

NORTH

N16, MONARCH. Now a Labatts Free House, ex Charrington. (N92)

SOUTH EAST

SE1, GLOBE TAVERN, 8 Bedale Street. Is a Wessex Taverns Free House. (SE23, U57, U83)

SOUTH WEST

SW1(B), ANTELOPE. +Guest beer. (SW10, U77)

SW1(B), GLOUCESTER. -Brakspear: Bitter. +Theakston: Best Bitter. Now S&N, ex Grand Met (Chef & Brewer/Free). (SW10, U95)

SW1(B), GRENADIER. -Webster: Yorkshire Bitter. +Theakston: Best Bitter. (SW10, U77, U95)

SW1(B), LOWNDES ARMS. -Beers listed. +Courage: Directors Bitter. +Fuller: London Pride. +Wadworth: 6X. (SW10)

SW1(B), PAXTONS HEAD. -Caines: Bitter. -Greene King: IPA. -Wadworth: 6X. +Bass. +Brakspear: Bitter. (SW11, U71, U74, U77)

SW1(B), PLUMBERS ARMS. -Beers listed. +Courage: Best Bitter, Directors Bitter. +John Smith: Bitter. +Wadworth: 6X. (SW11, U76)

SW1(B), PRINCE OF WALES TAVERN. -Beers listed. +Courage: Best Bitter, Directors Bitter. +John Smith: Bitter. Now S&N, ex Grand Met (Watney). (SW11, U39)

SW1(B), RED LION. -Fuller: London Pride. +Bass. +Worthington: Best Bitter. (SW11, U76)

SW1(B), ROYAL COURT TAVERN. -Beers listed except Charrington IPA. +Bass. +Boddington: Bitter. +Brakspear: Bitter. +Chelsea Royal (brewed by Bass). +Hancock: HB. +Ruddle: County. +Worthington: Best Bitter. (SW11, U60, U74)

SW1(B), TALBOT TAVERN. -Beers listed. +Courage: Best Bitter, Directors Bitter. +John Smith: Bitter. +Wadworth: 6X. Now S&N, ex Grand Met (Watney). (SW11)

SW1(B), TATTERSALLS TAVERN. -Beers listed. +Courage: Directors Bitter. +John Smith: Bitter. +Theakston: Best Bitter. +Wadworth: 6X. Now S&N, ex Grand Met (Watney). (SW11)

SW1(B), TRAVELLERS TAVERN. -Beers listed. +Courage: Best Bitter. +John Smith: Bitter. +Wadworth: 6X. Now S&N, ex Grand Met (Chef & Brewer/Free). (SW11)

SW1(SJ), BLUE POSTS TAVERN. -Beers listed. +Courage: Best Bitter, Directors Bitter. +John Smith: Bitter. +Wadworth: 6X. Now S&N, ex Grand Met (Watney). (SW12)

SW1(SJ), CAPTAINS CABIN. +John Smith: Bitter. Now S&N, ex Grand Met (Courage). (SW12)

SW1(SJ), CHEQUERS TAVERN. +Courage: Best Bitter, Directors Bitter. +John Smith: Bitter. Now S&N, ex Grand Met (Watney). (SW12)

SW1(SJ), CLARENCE TAVERN. -Beers listed except Greene King Abbot Ale and Ruddle County. +Brakspear: Bitter. +Courage: Best Bitter, Directors Bitter. +John Smith: Bitter. +Theakston: Best Bitter. +Wadworth: 6X. Now S&N, ex Grand Met (Chef & Brewer/Free). (SW12)

SW1(SJ), OLD SHADES. +Fuller: London Pride. +Ruddle: County. (SW12)

SW1(SJ), RED LION, 23 Crown Passage. -Beers listed except Webster Yorkshire Bitter. +Fuller: London Pride. +Marston: Pedigree. +Morland: Old Speckled Hen. +Wadworth: 6X. (SW12)

SW1(SJ), SILVER CROSS. -Beers listed. +Courage: Best Bitter, Directors Bitter. +John Smith: Bitter. Now S&N, ex Grand Met (Watney). (SW12)

SW1(SJ), TWO CHAIRMEN. +Marston: Pedigree. +Morland: Old Speckled Hen. (SW15)

SW1(SJ), WALKERS OF ST. JAMES'S. -Ansells: Mild. +Felinfoel: Double Dragon. +Nicholson: Best Bitter. +Wadworth: 6X. Formerly UNICORN. (SW 15, U80)

SW6, CLEM ATTLEE. Renamed PUMP HOUSE (THE). (SW27, U94)

SW6, WELLINGTON. -Worthington: Best Bitter. +Young: Bitter. (SW29, U78)

SW11, CORNET. +Courage: Best Bitter. +John Smith: Bitter. +Wadworth: 6X. (SW39, U70)

SW11, DUKE OF WELLINGTON. Now a Labatts Free House, ex Charrington (fizz). (SW39)

SW11, FALCON. -Charrington: IPA. -Young: Bitter. -Guest beers. +Morland: Old Speckled Hen. +Worthington: Best Bitter. (SW39, U61, U70, U75)

SW11, FOX & HOUNDS. -Charrington: IPA. (SW40)

SW11, LATCHMERE. -Ruddle: Best Bitter, County. +John Smith: Bitter. +Wadworth: 6X. (SW40, U37, U42)

SW11, UNITY TAVERN. -Young: Special. +Courage: Directors Bitter. +Taylor: Landlord. +Titanic: Premium Bitter (4.2%). Now a Free House, ex Grand Met (Watney). (SW41, U39, U78)

KINGSTON, KINGSTON MILL. Is a Wessex Taverns Free House. (SW66, U68)

WEST

W3, CAPEL ARMS. Now a Labatts Free House, ex Charrington. (W64)

BRENTFORD, WINDMILL. Now a Labatts Free House, ex Charrington. (W99, U68, U79)

HAMPTON, BELL HOTEL. -Beers listed. +Greene King: Abbot Ale. +Tetley: Bitter. (W103)